Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
How to survive the transition from student to graduate life
Kelly
7th Aug 2019
When you began your studies at uni, graduation may have seemed like a lifetime away. Now it’s here, you might be feeling a bit nervous… in fact, very nervous!
There’s something wrong if you don’t experience a bit of trepidation. After all, for many people graduating is their first true taste of adult life away from home and uni comforts.
To survive the transition you’ve got to be switched on. What you need are some solid tips to get you started. Which is where we come in…!
Our comprehensive guide contains everything you need when taking those first steps out of the classroom and into the school of life. Read on for the lowdown…
5. Learn to budget
Students are pretty legendary for not being good with money. Should you be one of those people, it’s time to get your act together. Budgeting is an essential life skill.
Here’s the thing. There are all manner of financial responsibilities to meet as a graduate, with only a limited bank account to take care of them all.
Begin by drawing up a budget sheet. Don’t know what that is? Don’t worry. There are lots of places you can get one, and learn how to fill one in.
Once you have an overview of your finances, you’ll gain confidence and won’t get swamped by the daily stress of money management. Finance apps are also very helpful.
4. Organize your life
Feels good to sort out your finances doesn’t it? Why not widen the scope and organize your whole life in a methodical and effective way?
We know what you’re thinking. This sounds intimidating. It certainly requires a lot of effort, but the basics are quite straightforward.
Having a daily schedule focuses you, and enables you to prioritize a mountain of tasks more easily. Read more about doing a schedule if you don’t know how to start.
The sooner you do it, the better. As well as being invaluable for running day-to-day life, an organized person is an attractive candidate for employment, as our next section demonstrates…
3. Work it baby
You’re no doubt aware that good jobs don’t grow on trees. Many graduates send off dozens of applications before hearing anything back. Competition for roles is fierce.
Strike while the iron is hot. The best time to think about graduate employment is before you become a graduate. That way you are fully prepared and can go in all guns blazing.
Don’t get hung up on a dream job. Work experience is as important as your eventual career. Even a regular job gives you an insight into the world of work and its routines.
Be pro-active. Try not to sit there and wait for opportunity to come to you. There are various options open if you want to start a business, or make money from home.
2. Change your lifestyle
Those days of waking up at noon with a hangover and a stranger passed out on the carpet are rapidly disappearing. If you want to be taken seriously, change your lifestyle.
Before you do, read this. You’re leaving student life behind, but you can still enjoy money-saving perks, like those offered by your NUS/Totum card, as a graduate.
If you enjoy a diet of kebabs, you might want to rethink these eating habits. Relegate junk food to a Friday night, and focus on healthy and cheap meals.
Be mindful of social media also. Potential employers tend to scour a candidate’s feeds for evidence of bad behaviour, so make sure you detox your online life as well.
1. Get some rest
A good lifestyle involves getting the right amount of sleep. But you don’t want to live your life either going flat out or being unconscious. R ‘n R is vital.
Wake up to the facts. Spending your whole time working can easily lead to burnout. Make sure that you factor relaxation into your daily schedule. Read a book on your commute, or meditate.
Try and separate home life and work life as much as possible. Your boss may want to e-mail you at 8pm but ensure your mobile devices are switched off, at least sometimes…!
Some great info for graduates.